Ben Higgins reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly that saying “I love you” to finalists Lauren Bushnell and JoJo Fletcher during the February 29 episode of The Bachelor has caused some problems in his relationship. The 26-year-old Denver resident revealed on March 1 that he proposed to one of the two and is now happily betrothed. (To avoid spoiling the outcome, Us is not naming the winner, who will be revealed on the ABC love hunt’s March 14 finale.)

Postfinale, the software sales rep came clean to his future wife about loving another woman. “I’ve had tough conversations,” Higgins told Us at the Women Tell All taping in L.A. February 27. (The special airs March 7.) “I put her through hell and back.” Indeed, a show source says the revelation “was a lot for her to take in.”

Ben HigginsMarc Royce

But Higgins is quick to point out that they’ve been working through their issues. “We continue to move forward because we continue to communicate,” says Higgins. “She’s been supportive and loving, and ultimately we’re going to get through it. We have gotten through it.”

To protect herself, the winner hasn’t been watching every episode of the franchise’s 20th season. “She’s seen a lot, but not a ton,” he says. “There’s moments where it’s like, ‘That sucks,’ and of course it does.”

Despite the friction it caused, Higgins tells Us he wouldn’t change his decision to say those three little words to more than one finalist. “You can go back and regret things,” he says, “but it put me in a place now where I’m very happy.”

For more on The Bachelor, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.